42. The Secretariat introduced the document entitled an overview on the management and development of fisheries of Lake Kariba. The meeting was informed that there was a need to adopt an integrated and precautionary approach to the management and development of the fisheries of Lake Kariba including activities concerning culture fisheries. In the subsequent discussions the following issues were highlighted.
Pollution and environmental degradation
43. It was noted that the following sources of pollution and environment degradation have been identified in the Lake Basin:
artisanal and industrial mining;
urbanization;
discharge of domestic, animal and industrial waste;
deforestation;
erosion;
pesticides; and
aquatic weed infestation
Possible presence of heavy metals
44. The delegates were cautioned on the presence of heavy metals. It was recalled that two zinc, copper and lead mines are located in the drainage basin of the Sanyati River, a major river running northwards which flows into Lake Kariba. Furthermore, there are extensive copper, manganese, nickel and zinc mining activities in the Zambia sector, which might influence the metal levels in the Lake and Zambezi River system to increase.
Options for rational management of the shared fisheries of Lake Kariba
45. It was emphasized that the problems of Lake Kariba should be addressed jointly by Zambia and Zimbabwe. Cooperation could be enhanced under the umbrella and framework of SADC and other economic groupings such as COMESA as well as the international community including FAO and other technical and donor agencies
46. Regarding the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries the meeting took note of the following immediate management measures:
Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and the supplementary technical guidelines for inland capture fisheries and aquaculture development
Introduction of by legislation, measures for the protection of native species and biotopquaes;
Protection of endangered species such as Labeo, Oreochromis macrochir and O. andersonii;
Control of illegal fish trade and theft of fishing gears; and
Need for legislation enabling the implementation of closed fishing seasons, closed fishing areas, and restricting use of prohibited gears, explosives and toxins.
Research on policy, legislation, governance and institutional arrangements
47. The following major areas for research to improve policies and performance of the fisheries sub-sector were considered in relation to policies per se, but also with respect to institutions and organizations, and processes or instruments of direct relevance to the artisanal fisheries sub-sector. The following issues were emphasized:
Policies
relevance of development policies on fisheries;
relationship of artisianl fisheries in policy formulation and implantation;
impact of other sector policies;
relative importance of formal and informal policy; and
linkage between fisheries policy and legislation.
Institutions and organizations
structure as artisanal fisheries sub-sector;
structure and functions of Fisheries Department, Park of Zambia and Wildlife Management Authority of Zimbabwe and relevant research institutes; and
regional fisheries management organizations.
Processes or instruments
trade-offs between policy objectives;
process of policy and implementation;
involvement of fishers and fish traders;
awareness of policy makers to the mainstreaming of gender and diversity issues;
strengthening mechanisms of local governance, in a changing environment; and
relation to international planning process.
Institutional mechanism
48. The meeting noted the following principal deficiencies common to institutional frameworks were identified and can be summarized as follows:
inadequate budgetary allocation to fisheries sectors by central governments;
inadequate funding for research;
inadequate human resources and equipment;
poor enforcement of fisheries regulations; and
insufficient linkage between central administration and field agents at local level.
Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS)
49. It was recognized by the delegates that the purpose of MCS is twofold:
to ensure compliance with fisheries management rules; and
to collect scientific and other information relating to fishing activities to form foundation for the devising of sound fisheries management measures.
International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU)
50. The Technical Consultation recalled that the IPOA-IUU is guided by the principles set out in, and pursues the strategies associated with, the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU) and the 2002 FAO Technical Guidelines for the Implementation of the International Plan of Action to Deter, Prevent and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.
51. The delegates agreed that Zambia and Zimbabwe should take the necessary measure to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated Fishing (IUU) around Lake Kariba. It is also necessary to develop a Regional Plan of Action (RPOA-IUU) for Lake Kariba to be implemented by the two countries. It was also noted that each member country (Zambia and Zimbabwe) need to develop a National Plan of Action (NPOA) IUU.
